Lucy Letby Faces Potential New Charges Amid Ongoing Investigations into Baby Deaths
July 02 , 2025
The criminal case against former neonatal nurse Lucy Letby may soon deepen, as prosecutors review new evidence indicating that more infants may have been harmed or killed under her care. The new material, submitted by Cheshire police, could lead to fresh charges related to incidents at both the Countess of Chester Hospital and Liverpool Women’s Hospital.
Letby, now 35, is already serving 15 life sentences following her 2023 conviction for murdering seven babies and attempting to kill seven more during 2015–2016. However, recent developments suggest her legal troubles—and the surrounding controversy—are far from over.
New Allegations Under CPS Review
The Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) confirmed it had received a full evidentiary file from Cheshire Constabulary. According to reports, the evidence involves over six additional cases involving either fatal or near-fatal collapses of newborns.
This development comes on the heels of the arrest of three former hospital executives from Countess of Chester Hospital, who were detained on suspicion of gross negligence manslaughter. All three individuals remain unnamed and have been released on police bail.
A CPS spokesperson stated: “We are carefully reviewing the evidence to determine whether further criminal charges should be brought. Our decision will be made independently and in line with our legal standards.”
Legal Controversy Surrounding Her Conviction
Letby continues to deny all allegations. After losing two appeals, she has turned to the Criminal Cases Review Commission (CCRC), submitting new medical reports that challenge the prosecution's previous evidence.
In February, an international panel of medical experts concluded that there was no clear evidence of intentional harm, a finding that has fueled public debate and cast doubt over her conviction. The CCRC is now analyzing two comprehensive submissions of fresh expert testimony.
Mark McDonald, Letby’s new lawyer, described the evidence as overwhelming: “We are prepared for any new charges. Our global network of medical professionals is ready to disprove these allegations.”
Public Opinion Remains Deeply Divided
Political voices have entered the fray. Conservative MP Sir David Davis has previously called Letby’s case one of the most serious potential miscarriages of justice in modern British history.
However, lawyers representing the families of victims strongly dispute the new evidence. During the Thirlwall Inquiry, Peter Skelton KC labeled the defense arguments as “fragile towers of speculation”, while Richard Baker KC dismissed the submissions to the CCRC as neither new nor credible, criticizing the media attention as turning grieving families into a “ghoulish sideshow.”
Ongoing Investigations and What Lies Ahead
Three parallel investigations remain open: one focused on Letby, another targeting senior hospital staff, and a third addressing possible corporate manslaughter by the Countess of Chester NHS Foundation Trust.
Any decision to prosecute further would require the approval of Stephen Parkinson, the Director of Public Prosecutions. As scrutiny continues, the Lucy Letby case remains a critical flashpoint in debates over medical accountability and the criminal justice system in the UK.